Senior Programme Manager Chevening Scholarships

Location: City of Edinburgh

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

The Role The Senior Programme Manager UK is responsible for leading the administration and delivery of the scholarship programme in the UK, ensuring a high-quality experience for scholars from award confirmation through to completion of their studies in the UK. The role oversees scholarship administration, university liaison, scholar welfare and immigration support, stipend and allowance management, engagement activities, and compliance with award terms and conditions.

As a member of the Secretariat management team, the Senior Programme Manager UK works closely with senior colleagues across finance, international operations, and scholarship systems, while leading Programme Managers and operational teams to ensure effective service delivery, achievement of performance targets, and the implementation of robust processes aligned with programme policies and contractual requirements.

The role supports the delivery of the prestigious Chevening and Marshall Scholarship programmes, administered by the British Council on behalf of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). These globally recognised programmes provide postgraduate scholarships and fellowships to outstanding international students to study in the UK, with approximately 1,000 Chevening and 50 Marshall scholarships awarded annually. The British Council's responsibilities include programme promotion, scholar selection, university placement support, pre-departure services, scholar support in the UK, alumni engagement, impact reporting, financial management, partnership development, and social value delivery.

Through these programmes, the British Council strengthens international educational partnerships, promotes cultural relations, and fosters long-term connections between the UK and future global leaders.

Main responsibilities

The Senior Programme Manager is responsible for leading and developing the UK programme delivery team, ensuring adequate resourcing, clear accountability, and high performance across scholarship administration, university liaison, and scholar support functions. The role oversees the development and delivery of annual operational plans, monitors performance against contractual targets, and works closely with the wider Chevening management team to ensure coordinated programme delivery.

Key responsibilities include ensuring the accurate and timely payment of scholar stipends, allowances, and university invoices, maintaining robust financial and administrative controls, and overseeing the scholarship placement process through effective data management, university engagement, and progress reporting.

The role also ensures scholars are supported throughout their award by overseeing compliance with scholarship terms and conditions, coordinating welfare and safeguarding support, and maintaining strong relationships with UK universities. Working closely with the Welfare and Events teams, the Senior Programme Manager ensures effective escalation processes are in place for sensitive cases and that scholars have access to appropriate wellbeing support and engagement opportunities.

The position is accountable for the successful delivery of key scholar events, including Orientation and Farewell programmes, while also providing leadership and flexibility to support emerging operational requirements and continuous improvement across programme delivery.

Role specific skills

Strong administrative skills, including the ability to manage information accurately on databases and IT systems.

Flexibility to work responsively and sensitively to changing circumstances, including responding to urgent scholar issues and client requests for information.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Essential

Knowledge, based on experience, of an international scholarship programme.

Exper…